Little White

He had thought he could pluck the flower without anyone noticing. Who knew that just as his fingers were about to touch its petals, the little red flower moved away with the wooden staff. Shao Chong seemed to sense something and looked up. The staff's owner was gazing down at him. Their eyes met.

The boy furrowed his delicate brows. "What are you doing?"

Shao Chong gazed longingly at the little red flower. Even though his attempt to steal it had failed and he'd been caught red-handed by its owner, he wasn't the least bit embarrassed. He raised his brows with a smile. "How much for that flower? How about selling it to me? Twelfth Brother can afford any price you name. Go ahead!"

Chao Lian couldn't help undermining him. "I can't afford it."

The boy's clear eyes rested on Shao Chong's face for two breaths, then moved away. He turned around with an expression that said he didn't want to talk to strangers. He took a small purse from his sleeve and quietly confirmed the prices with the vendor, looking reserved and shy. He probably didn't talk to people often. The vendor calculated the price of each item, told him the total, and then the boy counted out the money and paid.

"You look so poor." Shao Chong's gaze still wouldn't leave the little red flower. Seeing the boy pay mostly in copper coins, he decided to use money to persuade him. "Just sell me the flower. One tael? Two taels? If that's not enough, I'll give you five..."

The boy ignored Shao Chong.

He took the bundled goods from the vendor. Inside were all necessities for daily life, such as salt, millet, needles and thread, and cloth. This was the first time he'd ever gone out alone to